‘We fight on’: 2020 Democrats mark Juneteenth

Several Democrats running for the 2020 presidential nomination took to Twitter on Wednesday to mark Juneteenth, the celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. 

Juneteenth this year comes as the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties holds a hearing on slavery reparations. Several presidential contenders have endorsed legislation that would form a commission to study the prospect. 

{mosads}Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), who will testify at Wednesday’s House hearing, introduced the first reparations bill to the Senate since Reconstruction, which would establish a commission to examine the impacts of slavery in the U.S. and recommend ways to compensate the descendants of slaves. 

Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), all fellow 2020 contenders, have co-sponsored the legislation.

“Celebrating #Juneteenth by remembering those fearless leaders who fought for abolition, while recognizing the enormous work that remains to be done to achieve true freedom from economic inequity, mass incarceration, and racial disparities,” Booker tweeted Wednesday.

Celebrating #Juneteenth by remembering those fearless leaders who fought for abolition, while recognizing the enormous work that remains to be done to achieve true freedom from economic inequity, mass incarceration, and racial disparities.

— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBooker) June 19, 2019

“On Juneteenth, we recognize emancipation and honor those who fought and died in the fight to end slavery. Still, the fight for equality and equity is far from over as Black Americans still face injustice — from our justice system to the ballot box. We fight on,” Harris echoed. 

On Juneteenth, we recognize emancipation and honor those who fought and died in the fight to end slavery. Still, the fight for equality and equity is far from over as Black Americans still face injustice — from our justice system to the ballot box. We fight on.

— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 19, 2019

“Juneteenth should be a national holiday,” Sanders tweeted, attaching an image saying he was endorsing an effort by a Texas activist to get the federal government to recognize the celebration.

Juneteenth should be a national holiday. pic.twitter.com/kMMMoMOuHp

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 19, 2019

“Juneteenth isn’t just about celebrating the end of slavery in Texas. It’s a necessary reminder that 154 years later, Black Americans still feel the harsh reality that the fight for racial equality in our country is far from over. I’m in that fight all the way,” Warren said.

Juneteenth isn’t just about celebrating the end of slavery in Texas. It’s a necessary reminder that 154 years later, Black Americans still feel the harsh reality that the fight for racial equality in our country is far from over. I’m in that fight all the way.

— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) June 19, 2019

“On Juneteenth, we celebrate emancipation—but we must also acknowledge the shadow slavery still casts. We can’t change our past, but we must keep working toward a more just future: starting with finally studying reparations, ending mass incarceration, and enacting postal banking,” Gillibrand tweeted.

On Juneteenth, we celebrate emancipation—but we must also acknowledge the shadow slavery still casts.

We can’t change our past, but we must keep working toward a more just future: starting with finally studying reparations, ending mass incarceration, and enacting postal banking.

— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) June 19, 2019

“On Juneteenth, we’re celebrating a powerful moment in history. But it’s a moment whose promise is not yet realized as we fail to address a legacy of slavery, segregation, and suppression that is alive in this country. The fight for true freedom, justice, and equity must go on,” former Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) said. 

On Juneteenth, we’re celebrating a powerful moment in history. But it’s a moment whose promise is not yet realized as we fail to address a legacy of slavery, segregation, and suppression that is alive in this country. The fight for true freedom, justice, and equity must go on. pic.twitter.com/Cc4plHIU3y

— Beto O’Rourke (@BetoORourke) June 19, 2019

“Today as we celebrate #Juneteenth and reflect upon the end of slavery 154 years ago, we must acknowledge that the fight for racial equality in the United States is not over. We must confront white supremacy in America and continue to push for freedom and justice for all,” Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) tweeted.

Today as we celebrate #Juneteenth and reflect upon the end of slavery 154 years ago, we must acknowledge that the fight for racial equality in the United States is not over. We must confront white supremacy in America and continue to push for freedom and justice for all.

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) June 19, 2019

“Today we do more than commemorate the abolition of slavery. We redouble our efforts to fight against racism that still exists in our country, bridge the systemic inequality faced by too many Americans, and keep building that more perfect union. #Juneteenth,” Gov. Steve Bullock (D-Mont.) said.

Today we do more than commemorate the abolition of slavery. We redouble our efforts to fight against racism that still exists in our country, bridge the systemic inequality faced by too many Americans, and keep building that more perfect union. #Juneteenth

— Steve Bullock (@GovernorBullock) June 19, 2019

“Slavery is a stain on our founding values of liberty, justice, and equality. On Juneteenth, we celebrate the end of slavery, and we recommit to continuing to become a more perfect union for everyone,” Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) tweeted.

Slavery is a stain on our founding values of liberty, justice, and equality. On Juneteenth, we celebrate the end of slavery, and we recommit to continuing to become a more perfect union for everyone.

— Michael Bennet (@MichaelBennet) June 19, 2019

“June 19th is an important day in American history – the day of emancipation of hundreds of thousands of African Americans. We yet have a very long way to go. Let our history inform our shared future,” entrepreneur Andrew Yang said.

June 19th is an important day in American history – the day of emancipation of hundreds of thousands of African Americans. We yet have a very long way to go. Let our history inform our shared future. pic.twitter.com/rcxo5dUDVT

— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) June 19, 2019

“#Juneteenth is a day of celebration — but also a poignant reminder that the fight for justice and equality didn’t end with slavery. More than a century and a half later, we must recommit ourselves to ending systemic racism in all its forms and achieve true equality for everyone,” Gov. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.) tweeted.

#Juneteenth is a day of celebration — but also a poignant reminder that the fight for justice and equality didn’t end with slavery. More than a century and a half later, we must recommit ourselves to ending systemic racism in all its forms and achieve true equality for everyone.

— Jay Inslee (@JayInslee) June 19, 2019

“Today, on #Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S., as word of emancipation reached Texas. We have a responsibility to continue working towards true equality, and to address the original sin of slavery,” former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro said.

Today, on #Juneteenth, we commemorate the end of slavery in the U.S., as word of emancipation reached Texas. We have a responsibility to continue working towards true equality, and to address the original sin of slavery. /1

— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) June 19, 2019

“Today on #Juneteenth, we celebrate the effective end of slavery in the US. Though the fight for equality and opportunity for all is far from over, on days like today, we must remember to not lose faith in each other and our ability to heal, together,” former Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) tweeted.

Today on #Juneteenth, we celebrate the effective end of slavery in the US. Though the fight for equality and opportunity for all is far from over, on days like today, we must remember to not lose faith in each other and our ability to heal, together.

— John Hickenlooper (@Hickenlooper) June 19, 2019

“The Emancipation Proclamation didn’t end slavery. The Civil Rights Movement didn’t end oppression. This Juneteenth, let’s honor the progress made and recommit ourselves to the work we still have to finish. #Juneteenth,” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

The Emancipation Proclamation didn’t end slavery. The Civil Rights Movement didn’t end oppression. This Juneteenth, let’s honor the progress made and recommit ourselves to the work we still have to finish. #Juneteenth pic.twitter.com/YcmFg2F3p8

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 19, 2019

“On this day, we recognize the end of slavery in the US. As we commemorate all that African Americans have overcome, let’s not forget the challenges many still face. We will continue fighting to end systemic racism in this country, and to achieve true equality for all. #Juneteenth,” former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) tweeted.

On this day, we recognize the end of slavery in the US. As we commemorate all that African Americans have overcome, let’s not forget the challenges many still face. We will continue fighting to end systemic racism in this country, and to achieve true equality for all. #Juneteenth

— John Delaney (@JohnDelaney) June 19, 2019

“On #Juneteenth, we celebrate emancipation while recognizing the injustices that continued after slavery. We must not let progress distract us from today’s fight against voter suppression, mass incarceration & the racial wealth gap. We still have work to do to right these wrongs,” Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) said.

On #Juneteenth, we celebrate emancipation while recognizing the injustices that continued after slavery. We must not let progress distract us from today’s fight against voter suppression, mass incarceration & the racial wealth gap. We still have work to do to right these wrongs. https://t.co/66VGIa79o6

— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) June 19, 2019

“#Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery and liberation of black Americans, but it’s also a reminder of the work that lies ahead, the work required to overcome delayed justice, and the need to build a more fair and equitable society,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) tweeted.

#Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of slavery and liberation of black Americans, but it’s also a reminder of the work that lies ahead, the work required to overcome delayed justice, and the need to build a more fair and equitable society.https://t.co/HcOswxLsUP

— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) June 19, 2019

Racial justice has emerged as a central issue in the Democratic presidential primary, with candidates unveiling a slate of policies to rectify racial inequities, including boosting funds to small businesses run by entrepreneurs of color and increasing efforts to reduce maternal mortality rates among black mothers.

Updated at 3:59 p.m.